Michael Carrick was over the moon to see Kobbie Mainoo commit his future to Manchester United and hopes to give him the platform to thrive in Sunday's clash with rivals Liverpool.
New contract for Mainoo
The talented 21-year-old this week signed a new and improved contract to keep him at his boyhood club until 2031. Mainoo's United future looked uncertain after falling down the pecking order under former boss Ruben Amorim, with a loan request rejected in August and speculation ramping up in January. However, Carrick's appointment changed the course for a player that director of football Jason Wilcox rates as one of the most naturally gifted young footballers in the world.
Carrick said: "I've been hugely impressed with Kobbie since I've been here. He epitomises this football club – young players coming through the academy, living and breathing the club and coming through with real talent. The last couple of games particularly he's been fantastic. The natural thing and evolution is to obviously sign a new contract, so everyone's over the moon with that, including me because I think he deserves it."
Mainoo's resurgence under Carrick
Mainoo's development after a stunning breakthrough was stunted under Amorim, whose unwillingness to use him meant a first Premier League start of the season only arrived in January. That was Carrick's first game in charge, and the head coach has played him wherever possible since then, putting the midfielder in with a great chance of going to the World Cup with England.
Carrick added: "Like with all the players, it's about trying to get that connection and understanding, building relationships. Certainly understanding what it had looked like for Kobbie over the last two, three years – the ups and the downs, and the big highs and some challenging times – and letting him thrive, just giving him that platform to be himself. I think he's evolved, he's improving all the time. I think you can see that."
"The more responsibility, the more confidence and the more belief he keeps adding to his game and he's certainly done that. Just giving him that platform and opportunity to go and be the best version. He's done fantastic but there's more to come, there's loads more to come."
Upcoming clash with Liverpool
Mainoo's form and new contract is a boost heading into Sunday's match against Liverpool, who are a place and three points behind third-placed United. Victory would guarantee Champions League qualification with three games to spare. Carrick called it a standout game, saying: "It's certainly one of my favourite games, without doubt. The history, the ups and downs that past has produced in these type of game, and the excitement, entertainment and emotion, which is a huge part of it, makes it a really special game."
United will assess Matheus Cunha before facing Liverpool, but Lisandro Martinez is suspended and Matthijs de Ligt remains absent.
